Hello All,

I have a 2005 WDP acura tl that I would like to get a roof rack for. Anyone on here have any suggestions on which one and the product #? Pictures of it installed would be great too. I am all new to this so, any help
would be greatly appreciated. I also would like to know if any of you guys with roof rack installed have any issues of it damaging the paint.

Thanks guys!

 

Personally love my Yakima rack. Hasn't failed me yet and I use it a lot!

Just noticed you were located in WI. Where about? I'm in the Waukesha area.

 

What is the product # or part #? It looks very nice on it. I debating with Yakima or Thule. Does it scratch or marr your paint? (The side clips)
Another question not pertaining to this but, what size rims are those? Looks like you don't have a drop? I'm in Wausau btw.

 

This is a the Yakima Q-tower kit. Found mine on craigslist for a steal!!! The mounts have metal clips that I lined with the black (electrical) tape that was supplied with the correct clips (Q116 - Front / Q112 - Rear). If you crank them shut you may get a little dent in the door jam but you can't see it and it doesn't bother me. I don't even pay attention to it anymore. Plus it gives you a good reminder of where to place it when you take it off and on here and there. Don't get me wrong the Thule rack is nice as well, I just found this used one for a stellar price!

The wheels are 18x8.75 XXR 530 as stated in my Signature below my posts. I am still at stock ride height, but hopefully if things don't change I will be buying some coils this weekend.

 

Use the rack manufacture's website, that will get you the part numbers you are looking for. Really it comes down to what you will be using the rack for, hauling kayak's, Snowboards, Ski's, Bikes. Find what company suits your needs and your budget. I have a Thule rack but I haven't had it on my TL for a few years. Why? The MPG hit was very large, with a mountian bike racks on the roof I went from 27 MPG unloaded to 21~23MPG HWY loaded. It was like a giant sail. I installed a hitch mount and I am now get 29 to 31 MPG HWY. I also had the snowboard attachment and that works ok, got a little better than the bikes but nothing stellar. Wind noise with the Thule square bars wasn't to bad with a faring, however I didn't like that the way all the tower mounts to the car, the door seals have to compress around the clamps. With a rack and an open sunroof things get really loud, so with the rack on I didn't use the sunroof.

For protecting the paint at the racks mounts just pick up some of the clear car bra/film material to protect from rock chips on the front of the car. It works great and doesn't look to bad if you take the rack off for the MPGssssss.

Craigslist is a great source for people getting rid of their roof racks.

Tests show bike racks can ruin your mileage <- I learned the hard way.